Hi Noel,
I always considered custom and commission to be basically the same
thing, but a friend who does quite a bit of incredible goldsmithing–
on commission-- convinced me that there is a difference.
This is how I’ve come to see it:
With custom work the client, or customer, broadly participates in
the process, from conception through design. In this case, the smith
is basically designing and building a piece tailored to the
requirements and preferences of that client. A client might ask, for
instance, for a ring with a the uber cute teddy bear from the
Snuggles commercial. (They just think it’s sooo darling…) I’d look
at the commercial ( forget in this example about securing rights or
copyright violations), and figure out the best, most efficient way to
produce an accurate representation of that bear in quality materials
and with fine craftsmanship.
I would never choose to make this ring just for the heck of it.
If, on the other hand, someone commissioned me to make a ring, they
might specify that it be a ring and the size and perhaps material,
but they have approached me because they want a piece made by me with
my sensibility, aesthetic and approach. They have basically given me
carte blanche and, indeed, consider the mystery and surprise of what
they’ll ultimately receive to be part of the experience.
The ring that I make would be in line with the work that I am
currently making or perhaps might serve as a springboard to a new
body of work.
The most recent examples of commission work for me are a fish
server, which I think is on the Orchid archives, a chalice/goblet and
a pair of newel post caps-- caps for the top of vertical stair posts.
The server featured a technique that I had been playing with in
earrings and neckpieces. After the server it found it’s way into
brooches as well. The cup taught me the most. I hadn’t raised large
objects in years and I also took some risks, most notably fusing
silver filings to the entire exterior of the raised cup form. The
caps were an opportunity to work out some details from jewelry on a
larger stage and under a more focused light. I made them last
November and today I’ll finish a brooch that is actually a smaller
version of those caps.
Custom work, for me, has usually been much easier to do. Working
from with dictated parameters takes a lot of the pressure off.
As far as making anything but one offs: I do make earrings that I’d
consider production. But they are, in the end, one offs.
Hope this helps. Good topic.
Andy